Compilation attributed to Kirsha Danilov. Cf. Russ. Brockhaus, v. 10, p. 84; Literaturnai︠a︡ ėnt︠s︡ikl., v. 5, col. 223-24; Bolʹsh. sov. ėnt︠s︡ikl., 2d ed., v. 21, p. 139.
First ed. published in 1804 under title: Drevnīi︠a︡ russkīi︠a︡ stikhotvorenīi︠a︡.
The transcribed byliny, ballads, and poems are preceded by song and dance tunes, probably of a later date.